I awoke to what sounded like someone hammering straight on a piece of board right next to my ear, although it felt like somebody was banging my head into the concrete. I tried to block on the repetitive noise, but it wouldn’t go away, no matter how hard I tried to ignore it. I groaned, rolling over to my side. The movement caused my head to throb even harder and my stomach to churn. My eyes shot open and I ran to the bathroom before I even realized what was happening.

After what seemed to be hours of regurgitating everything I’d consumed in the past twenty four hours, I rested my head on the cold porcelain trying to regain my breathing. Throwing up always made me cry and made it hard to breathe. I remember why I hadn’t drank like that in months, because I always feel like shit the next day. Why am I so dumb? Why why why?

I mentally kicked myself a couple more times before turning my head and seeing a bulky shirtless figure in the doorway. I blinked a couple times to clear my eyes of tears, revealing a hungover Matt. He held a glass of water and a bottle of Advil. He set them on the counter as he began to speak.

“I figured you’d need these, but looks like I’m too late. How’re you feelin’ darlin’?” he kneeled down next to me, pushing my hair behind my ear.

“Like absolute fucking shit,” I replied, not lifting my head from it’s place on the toilet. He chuckled, meaning he was much less hungover than I. I couldn’t even so much as blink without it hurting, let alone laugh.

“You went pretty hard last night,” he laughed between words. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. “But you looked damn good while doing it.” I sensed him wink as he got up from kneeling. “Breakfast is made whenever you feel up to eating.” The thought of food made me inwardly gag. Maybe outwardly as well, because right after that sentence slipped out of his lips, I became sick once more.

Matt kneeled down next to me again, rubbing my back soothingly. He seemed unbothered by the continuous liquid coming up from my stomach. I wiped my mouth when I finally finished and pivoted, leaning back against the bathtub. A curious grin spread across his lips before he finally spoke.

“How do you know Zack?” he asked. It felt as if my heart stopped as I heard those words escape his mouth.

“Who?”

“Zack? Zack Baker. Dark hair, punk dude.” I furrowed my brow at him. Why was I acting like I didn’t know Zack? Nobody would ever be embarrassed to be spotted with him, but for some reason I insisted on our friendship staying private for now.

“I saw him come down the stairs and run out the door last night. I checked all the rooms and you were the only one up here, so I figured he was up here with you.” Well, fuck.

“Oh, yeah. He’s my tutor or whatever. I mean, he walks me home sometimes too.” I explained, rubbing my temples lightly.

“Zack is your tutor?” Matt asked, followed by a loud laugh. He shook his head. “Zack being a tutor, who would have thought?” he asked himself. Then it apparently dawned on him. “Why was he in your room last night?” Fuck if I know, Matt. I wouldn’t remember what my costume was if it wasn’t laying on the floor right in front of me.

“I don’t remember him being in my room, let alone being in my house,” I quickly answered.

Matt stared at me intently, waiting for me to tell the truth. But that is the truth, I really don’t remember. I don’t remember how much I drank, how much I danced, who was here. Hell, I don’t even remember Matt arriving.

“Hm. Well, we’ll be downstairs when you’re ready to…” he trailed off as he rose from the floor once again. He handed me the Advil and water before leaving. I took a handful, not bothering to count them and practically took them dry. I decided to go back to bed, not bothering to look at the clock across the room. Hopefully I could sleep this hangover off, but not before I grab the waste bin just in case.

---

“Hey, wake up. Cailey, it’s time to get up, c’mon.” I felt the weight on my bed increase, but I attempted to ignore it. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face the world yet. Whoever was sitting on my bed touched my hip lightly, shaking me gently. I groaned and rolled over to face them. I looked up to see bright blue eyes glancing down at me, a slight smile spread across their face. Normally I would have smacked whoever woke me up, but it being Matt made it a little easier. He was so cute.

“What time is it?” I sleepily asked, rubbing my eyes in unison.

“Time for you to get your lazy butt up, let’s go. You need to eat,” Matt replied, trying to move my body off the bed. I groaned once again, and finally looked up at the clock across my room. 6:23pm. Holy shit, I literally slept all day. But Lord knows I feel a million times better.

I sighed, slowly moving my legs to the edge of the bed, pushing myself up on my hands. Matt stood next to me, ready to steady me if need be. I stumbled slightly and Matt grabbed my arm, laughing lightly. I caught my balance but I let my arm rest in Matt’s hands. His hands were at least twice as big as mine, and they were undoubtedly stronger than most. I finally pulled my arm back and smiled, silently thanking him.

We walked down the steps, Matt putting his hand in the small of my back every now and then to make sure I was steady. Why was he being so touchy if he just questioned me about Zack? Lord, I didn’t even think about Zack right now. What if we did...hook up? Things would be so unbearably awkward, and I really don’t want that. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to do Zack. Just not under those circumstances.

I walked into the living room to reveal Clayton laying on the couch, intently watching the TV across from him. He smiled, sitting up when he finally noticed me.

“How ya feelin’?” He asked as I sat down on the couch next to him, while Matt sat in the chair across the room.

“A million times better,” I said as I turned to Matt. “Thank you for bring me Advil and stuff this morning. I really think that helped.” Matt nodded in return.

A few minutes of silence went by, and I felt the air getting thick with tension. I was hoping Matt hadn’t mentioned seeing Zack leave my room to Clayton, or Zack would be in a world of shit. The two boys exchanged glances and I knew it was coming any second.

“You remember anything from last night?” Clayton asked me, taking a sip of his water bottle before offering me some. I instantly gave Matt a look that said ‘why the fuck did you tell my brother’ without actually saying it. Matt curled his lips under and shrugged his shoulders.

“No, not really. Why?” I finally answered, trying to act as if I didn’t know he knew already. Clayton smirked.

“Just curious,” he said, laughing silently to himself. I rose from my seat next to him and walked into the kitchen. I noticed the leftover food on the stove and popped a piece of bacon in my mouth. I reached out of the fridge to grab a water bottle, sensing someone’s presence behind me.

“I didn’t tell him, I swear.” Matt stood in front of me, his arms hanging at his sides. I laughed, grabbing a plate from the cabinet.

“I didn’t say you did, Matthew,” I winked at him and continued piling my plate with bacon, eggs and pancakes. Matt turned, leaning his back against the counter next to me. A few moments went by before I finally heard his sweet voice again.

“You still don’t remember?” he smirked, obviously not believing me. I looked at him and shook my head. “I won’t say anything if you did.” I sighed deeply before setting my plate on the counter, leaning my hip against the counter edge to face him.

“I don’t remember, I already told you that.” I shook my head, grabbing my plate. I sat at the kitchen table and Matt pulled out the chair next to me.

“Do you want me to ask him? I’ll probably see him later today, if he’s not too hungover,” Matt whispered. I chomped on my pancakes, not minding how obnoxious I was being.

I stopped eating and set my fork down on the table, looking at Matt intently. I cocked my head to the side, studying his features. His sweet dimples, his bright lively eyes, his immaculate teeth. I caught myself smiling slightly before speaking.

“Matt, Zack and I are just friends. I can promise you that.” I picked my fork back up and continued eating. I swallowed a piece of food before continuing. “Plus, even if we did, I doubt he would tell anyone. Zack just doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to spread his personal business around.”

“Yeah you’re right. Zack is a good guy, you should give him a chance. Or I’ll have to try my luck with ya.” He winked as he rose from the chair, lightly brushing my thigh with his hand. He returned to the living room, leaving me alone to process what just occurred.

Notes

Long time, no talk guys! So I've been CRAZY busy lately. Was front row at NOFX(highly recommend seeing them live, suuuuper fun show!), had my godson's first birthday party and his mama's birthday all in the same weekend, on top of working 65 hours....but good news is this chapter is finally complete!

As always, thank you guys for all the support! You're awesome. Comment, subscribe, rate, message. All is very much appreciated! Also I'm in the fetal stages of writing a new Zacky story! If you would like to be a character, message me and we'll go from there!

Title Credit: Luke Bryan "All My Friends Say"